Estella case



E. CASE.

BUST FORM.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. 27

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UNITED STATES F F ICEQ PATENT BUST-FORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 370,375, dated September 27, 1887.

Application filed May 24, 1 887. Serial No. 239.191. (No model.)

To aZZ whom zit may concern:

Be it known thatI, ESTELLA CASE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Adjustable Bust-Form; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of my invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being-had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in a bust-form.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a piece of material prepared for the mold for shaping one of my bust-forms. Fig. 2 shows a piece of material on the mold. Fig. 3 shows the material for covering the bust-form. Fig. 4 represents my bust-form upon the wearer. Fig. 5 is the back View of the wearer, showing the adj usting-straps of the bust form.

I make my improved bust-form by cutting a piece of material of suitable shape and placing it over the mold and forcing it down into the crease in the middle of the mold, as shown by a a in Fig. 1. I then draw all the extra fullness of the piece to the center and hold it there by means of a cord run through the center of the material, as in Fig. 1, and securing it at each end, or by the string being passed over the material in the crease in the mold and securing the ends, as shown by Fig. 2 at a a. This being done, I press the material into shape.

In constructing my bust-form I use two convex ovate shapes, connected at their lower sides in such manner as will point their long diameters to the top of the shoulders, as shown in Fig. 4. The form should be of sufficient size for the sum of the two short diameters to extend half-way around the body of the wearer with a portion of the outer parts of the lobes at the top out away to make room for the arms, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. I use this particular shape, as it affects development in the entire upper portion of the front of the trunk of the female figure, beginning at the lower edge of the bust-line, as shown in Fig. 4. It is best for the woof and warp threads of the material comprising the said bust form to run diagonally to the vertical and horizontal outlines of said bust-form, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,when the material will admit of it, as it shapes to the mold better and draws up in the center without wrinkles.

In shaping my bust-form I draw all of the extra fullness of the material used in its construction into the depression between the two lobes, as shown in Fig. 2, and secure it there for a threefold purpose-first, in order to be able to shape the outer portions of said lobes without wrinkles, as shown in Fig. 2, as the wrinkles in said depression will not interfere with the utilityof said form; secondly, in order that the said lobes may not lose their proper form when wet, which is very desirable when straw material is used in the construction thereof, as if the said form lose its shape it may be restored by Wetting the same; thirdly, that by securing the said fullness by a cord drawn vertically through the said depression I am enabled to regulate the fullness of said lobes .by said cord, asshown by aain Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. I then fasten the cord at the bottom of the form and draw it through to the outside of the form at the top. By drawing up or letting out this cord I increase or diminish the fullness of the entire bust-form. I now add a covering of stockinet, which, by its great flexibility, can be made to fit the shape of my improved bustform without wrinkles. I also provide the covering with a row of eyelet-holes down the center, through which I run a cord in the same manner as described in the bust-form as shown by a a in Fig. 3. I then draw the cord through one of the eyelets to the outside, and also draw the cord from the under part through and tie the two together, as shown in Fig. 3, at the top. By bringing said cords to the outside of the bust-form I enable the wearer to adjust the fullness of the same upon the body. By adding a suitable binding to the outer edge the body of the improved bust-form is completed.

To secure the said bust-form to the body of the wearer, I attach straps k 70 to points 9 gin Fig. 4 and bring them over the back. I then attach straps 0 c in Fig. 5 to the extensions under the arm and carry them back to meet straps k 70 and fasten them at their points of meeting. These straps may be carried around the body on opposite sides, as shown at c c in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and secured to the bustform to serve as shoulder-braces; or they may be crossed in the back, as shown at c c, and brought down and secured to the skirts, as at r r in Fig. 5, to serve as skirt-supporters.

To the bottom of the bustform I attach straps g 9 (shown in Fig. 4.) in direct line with the shoulder-strapsattached at g g. I then secure said straps to the skirts, that by their weight the bust-form may be held down and away from the armpit to prevent it cutting into the flesh. By this means the weight of the skirts is supported by the rib structure, as well as by the shoulders.

In straps k In, Fig. 5, I insert elastic strips 0 0 over the shoulder'blades to give freedom of motion to that part from whence all shoulder motion emanates. I also insert elastic pieces 0 c in straps 0' 0' under the arms to give freedom to the motion of the ribs in respiration.

I also provide means for contracting my bustform across the chest, which may be effected by bands attached to the portions next to the arms, as shown by vv in Fig. 4, and continued across the chest under the form to the point a, where I tie them sufficiently tight to aid in drawing the bust-form forward, when the arms are forced forward, to prevent the edges of said form cutting into the flesh.

In Patent No. 181,261 the chest-protector fits the form, while minehas a form of its own, and the reference is therefore not intended for an analogous purpose.

The Patents Nos. 22,033 and 298,067 have skirt-supportin g straps, but they are so placed that the weight is supported entirely by the shoulders.

I am aware that it is not new to construct molded bust-forms, nor to provide bust-forms with skirt-supporting straps, and such device I do not claim, broadly, as my invention.

Ido not claim, broadly, the invention of a bust-form; but 7 What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an improved article of manufacture, a bust-form comprising two convex portions and a central depressed portion between them, said central portion being provided with cords attached thereto, substantially as described, for contracting or expanding the convex parts.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a bust-forn1 provided with straps attached under the arms and carried around the back to the front and attached to the lower part of the bust-form, in combination with suitable skirt-supportin g straps passing over the shoulders, substantially as set forth.

3. As an improved article of manufacture, the herein-described bust-form, comprising a body, of suitable flexible material having its warp and woof threadsv diagonal to the vertical and horizontal outlines of the form and provided with means, as described, for vertically contracting and expanding the body thereof at its center, and having means for securing the said form to the person of the wearer, as set forth.

4. As an improved article of manufacture, a bust-form comprising two ovate convex lobes, having the convexity extended up onto the upper narrowed portions of the lobes, and the said narrowed portions being constructed to extend up onto the shoulders, as set forth.-

5. As an improved article of manufacture, a bust-form with cords, substantially as'described, attached to the sides next the arms and carried across the chest, to be used in contracting the said form, as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The herein described improvementin the art of making a bust-form, which consists in constructing two convex portions with a central depression between them, by drawing or gathering all of the extra fullness of flat material used in constructing said form into the depressed portion and securing it in the same, substantially as set forth.

ESTELLA CASE.

Witnesses:

N. E. STEARNS, A. L. POPE. 

